Police: men robbed, punched cab driver

Two men, from Rockville Centre and Freeport respectively, were arrested for exiting a taxi without paying and punching the driver, police report. At 4:10 a.m. on Sunday, Darwin Barrera, 24, of Winsome Lane, Rockville Centre and Jairon Jacinto Barrientos, 32, of West Merrick Road, Freeport were passengers in Taxi Latino. They argued with the driver, 32, over the fare. Barrera and Barrientos tried to leave the taxi, and the driver called the Freeport Police.

Barrera then grabbed the driver’s cell phone, punched the driver’s head and bit his left forearm. Barrientos also punched the driver. They both fled the car. Freeport Police later found the men and arrested them. The driver was taken to a local hospital and treated for his injuries. His cell phone was recovered.

Barrera and Barrientos were both charged with second-degree robbery. Barrera was placed on a bail of $5,000 bond and $2,500 cash at his arraignment in First District Court in Hempstead on Monday. His next court appearance was scheduled for Wednesday.